Development and growth of fasciae in and around the esophageal hiatus: a histological study using human fetuses.

Purpose: An entire fascial configuration at the esophageal hiatus might not be demonstrated histologically. According to observations of human fetus histology, the aim of this study was to consider which factor is likely to make the individual variation in adults.

Methods: We observed frontal histological sections containing the esophageal hiatus from 12 midterm fetuses at 12-16 weeks (crown-rump length: CRL, 85-137 mm) and 10 near-term fetuses at 26-30 weeks (CRL, 214-250 mm).

Ontogenic transformation of the ankle from the initial mediolateral arrangement of the calcaneus and talus: A histological study of human embryos and early fetuses.

The human calcaneus is robust and provides a prominent heel for effective bipedal locomotion, although the adjacent talus has no muscle attachments. However, there is incomplete information about the morphological changes in these prominent bones during embryo development. We examined serial histological sections of 23 human embryos and early-term fetuses (approximately 5-10 weeks' gestational age [GA]).

Striated muscle fiber crossings of the head and neck: a histological study using near-term human fetuses and elderly cadavers.

Striated muscle fiber crossings at almost right angle are known to exist in the face, soft palate, pharyngeal wall and tongue. We aimed to identify a specific interface tissue at the crossing. We observed histological sections from 22 half-heads of 12 near-term fetuses at 26-40 weeks (crown-rump length, 215-334 mm).

Growth patterns of facial muscles at the angle of the mouth: A histological study using midterm and near-term human fetuses.

At the angle of the mouth, spoke-like muscle bundles converge at the "modiolus," which is believed to appear in utero. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth of the modiolus histologically. We studied frontal histological sections of the face from 12 midterm and six near-term fetuses.

Mentalis nerve branches supplying the lower lip revisited: a study of human fetuses and donated elderly cadavers.

Purpose: Little information is known about the mentalis nerve course from the lower lip approximation margin (free margin) to the upper lip. Likewise, no difference in nerve distribution has been observed between the cutaneous and mucosal parts of the lip. Therefore, this study reexamined mentalis nerve morphology.

Development and growth of the temporal fascia: a histological study using human fetuses.

The temporal fascia is a double lamina sandwiching a thick fat layer above the zygomatic bony arch. To characterize each lamina, their developmental processes were examined in fetuses. We observed histological sections from 22 half-heads of 10 mid-term fetuses at 14-18 weeks (crown-rump length, 95-150 mm) and 12 near-term fetuses at 26-40 weeks (crown-rump length, 215-334 mm).

Growing stylohyoideus muscle insertion to the hyoid bone with special reference to its topographical relation to the intermediate tendon of digastricus muscle: A histological study using human fetuses.

Background: In adults, the intermediate tendon of digastricus muscle usually runs along the medial or lateral side of the stylohyoideus muscle insertion. To provide a better understanding of the variations, we examined the topographical anatomy of the muscle and tendon in fetuses.

Methods: We examined histological sections from six early-term, 26 mid-term and six near-term fetuses (approximately 8-9, 12-18 weeks and 25-33 weeks).

Development and growth of median structures in the human tongue: A histological study using human fetuses and adult cadavers.

Glossectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove all or part of the tongue in patients with cancer. The removal of a significant part of the tongue has a marked effect on speech and swallowing function, as patients may lose not only the tongue muscles but also the median lingual septum (MLS). Therefore, to achieve successful tongue regeneration, it is necessary to investigate the developmental processes of not only the tongue muscles but also the MLS.

Histology of the optic nerve head with special reference to the layer-specific distribution of composite fibers at and near the lamina cribrosa: An immunohistochemical study using specimens from elderly donated cadavers.

Background: This study aimed to demonstrate the composite fibers of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and their layer-specific distributions. The elastic fiber-rich septa, showing a cribriform arrangement in the optic nerve, may continue into the LC.

Methods: Orbital content, including the long course of the optic nerve, was obtained from 25 elderly cadavers.

Changing the topographical anatomy among the maxilla, palatine bone, and greater palatine nerve: a histological study using human fetuses.

Purpose: The palatine bone (PAL) rides over the maxilla (MX) without an end-to-end suture in the bony palate of fetuses. However, changes in the topographical relationship among bones was unknown at and along the pterygopalatomaxillary suture, including the palatine canals.

Methods: Using sagittal, frontal, and horizontal histological sections of the head from 15 midterm fetuses to 12 near-term fetuses, we depicted the changes in the topographical anatomy of the MX, PAL, and greater palatine nerve (GPN).

CD34 is Expressed in Endothelial Cells in Embryonic Testes and is Additionally Expressed in Non-Endothelial Cells in Postnatal Mouse Testes.

CD34 is expressed in various cell types in various tissues/organs, and has been regarded as being expressed in progenitors in various differentiation pathways. On the other hand, morphological studies have reported the presence of a special type of interstitial cells, telocytes, which generally express CD34, and have extremely long moniliform prolongations in various tissues/organs in vertebrates. We have recently reported the successful reconstruction of testicular structures by 3-D re-aggregation culture of dissociated prepubertal mouse testicular cells, and the roles of CD34 cells in the reconstruction.

Topographical relationships of the yolk sac remnant and vitelline vessels with the midgut loop in the extra-embryonic coelom of human embryos.

The yolk sac is supplied by the vitelline artery and vein (VA, VV), which run through the yolk stalk in combination with the omphaloenteric duct. Moreover, the VV takes a free posterior course outside the midgut mesentery containing the secondarily-developed superior mesenteric vein (SMV). However, the regression process of these structures has not been demonstrated photographically.

Behavior and Functional Roles of CD34 Mesenchymal Cells in Mammalian Testes.

Mammalian testes consist of seminiferous tubules within which Sertoli cells line up at the periphery and nurse germ cells, and of interstitia that harbor various cells such as peritubular myoid cells (PMCs), Leydig cells (LCs), vascular endothelial cells, immune cells such as macrophages, and mesenchymal (stromal) cells. Morphological studies have recently reported the presence of telocytes with telopodes in the interstitium of adult mouse, rat, and human testes. CD34PDGFRα telocytes with long and moniliform telopodes form reticular networks with various cell types such as LCs, PMCs, and vessels, indicating their potential functions in cell-cell communications and tissue homeostasis.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements of blood diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate levels.

Diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (InsP) is an inositol pyrophosphate generated by inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks) that regulate diverse biological functions in cells. To date, we have a limited understanding of the InsP biology owing to limited data on InsP levels in blood or other tissues. Given the significant role of InsP in maintaining biological homeostasis, further advancement in InsP measurement is essential.

Anatomy of the vitelline vein remnant in human embryos and fetuses.

Purpose: To demonstrate the entire course of the human vitelline vein (VV) in specimens after degeneration of the yolk sac.

Methods: Sagittal and horizontal histological sections from 8 embryos and 19 fetuses (gestational age approximately 6-12 weeks; crown-rump length 11-61 mm) were examined.

Results: Two types of VV remnants were observed: a long VV on the right superior side of the mesentery of the jejunum (VV1) and a short VV on the left inferior side of the mesentery (VV2).

Optic nerve-associated connective tissue structures revisited: A histological study using human fetuses and adult cadavers.

Unlike the usual peripheral nerve, the optic nerve accompanies a thick "dural sheath," a thin "sheath of pia mater" (SPM), and multiple "septa," which divides the nerve fibers into fascicles. We collected specimens from 25 adult cadavers and 15 fetuses and revisited the histological architecture of the optic and oculomotor nerves. In the optic chiasma, the meningeal layer of the dura joins the pia to form a thick SPM, and the periosteum of the sphenoid is continuous with the dural sheath at the orbital exit of the bony optic canal.

Lost or fragmented bony septum of the optic canal facing the sphenoid sinus: a histological study using elderly donated cadavers.

Purpose: To histologically describe a direct contact (the so-called dehiscence) of the optic nerve (ON) and/or internal carotid artery (ICA) to the mucosa of posterior paranasal sinuses represented by the sphenoid sinus (SS).

Methods: Observations of histological sections of unilateral or bilateral skull bases (parasellar area and orbital apex) from 22 elderly cadavers were made.

Results: A bony septum was less than 300 µm between the SS and ICA and 200 µm between the SS and optic nerve.

Growth in fetuses of the constrictor pharyngis superior with special reference to its meeting with the buccinator: an embryological basis of adult variations in palatopharyngeal anatomy.

Purpose: The constrictor pharyngis superior (CPS) initially develops along the posterior wall of the pharyngeal mucosal tube, whereas, during the early phase, the buccinators (BC) are far anterolateral to the CPS. The process and timing of their meeting during fetal growth have not been determined.

Methods: The topographical relationship between the growing BC and CPS was assessed in histological sections from 22 early- and mid-term fetuses of approximate gestational age (GA) 8-16 weeks, and eight late-term fetuses of approximate GA 31-39 weeks.

VCAM1-α4β1 integrin interaction mediates interstitial tissue reconstruction in 3-D re-aggregate culture of dissociated prepubertal mouse testicular cells.

Roles of interstitial tissue in morphogenesis of testicular structures remain less well understood. To analyze the roles of CD34 cells in the reconstruction of interstitial tissue containing Leydig cells (LCs), and testicular structures, we used 3D-reaggregate culture of dissociated testicular cells from prepubertal mouse. After a week of culture, adult Leydig cells (ALCs) were preferentially incorporated within CD34 cell-aggregates, but fetal LCs (FLCs) were not.

Human orbital muscle in adult cadavers and near-term fetuses: its bony attachments and individual variation identified by immunohistochemistry.

Purpose: To compare fetal and adult morphologies of the orbital muscle (OM) and to describe the detailed topographical anatomy in adults.

Methods: Using unilateral orbits from 15 near-term fetuses and 21 elderly cadavers, semiserial horizontal or sagittal paraffin sections were prepared at intervals of 20-100 µm. In addition to routine histology, we performed immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin.

Characteristic Distribution of Hematopoietic Cells in Bone Marrow of Xenopus Laevis.

Bone marrow is the principal site of hematopoiesis in mammals. Amphibians were the first phylogenetic group in vertebrates to acquire bone marrow, but the distribution of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow of the primitive frog, Xenopus laevis (X. laevis) has not been well documented.

The enzymatic activity of inositol hexakisphosphate kinase controls circulating phosphate in mammals.

Circulating phosphate levels are tightly controlled within a narrow range in mammals. By using a novel small-molecule inhibitor, we show that the enzymatic activity of inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6K) is essential for phosphate regulation in vivo. IP6K inhibition suppressed XPR1, a phosphate exporter, thereby decreasing cellular phosphate export, which resulted in increased intracellular ATP levels.

Fetal development of the carotid canal with special reference to a contribution of the sphenoid bone and pharyngotympanic tube.

The bony carotid canal is a tube-like bone with a rough surface in contrast to smooth surfaces of the other parts of the temporal bone petrosal portion (petrosa): it takes an impression of the additional, out-sourcing product. No study had been conducted to evaluate a contribution of the adjacent sphenoid and pharyngotympanic tube (PTT) to the carotid canal. We examined sagittal and horizontal histological sections of hemi-heads from 37 human fetuses at 10 to 37 weeks.

Histologic Investigation of the Female Vesicourethral Junction and Adjacent Tissues for Nerve-sparing Radical Cystectomy.

Objective: To understand the structures around the vesicourethral junction and to improve functional outcomes after nerve-sparing radical cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion for female patients, we histologically elucidated the fibromuscular construction and nerve distribution around the vesicourethral junction.

Methods: Pelvic specimens containing all the pelvic viscera were obtained from 33 donated female cadavers. Macroslices that included the urethra, the anterior wall of the vagina, and the inferomedial edge of the levator ani muscle were made and performed elastica Masson and immunohistochemical staining.